Here was Gary

getting ready for his first online course to become a drivers ed teacher.  I wasn't quite sure about the whole process until I saw the first book he had to read.  Now I'm all for it!

In case you can't read it, the title is "Ten Habits Keep the Monster Caged."  Lydia and I have been the recipients of hearing about all of his new-found driving and safety techniques.   Like buckling your seat belt the moment you sit in the car.   Novel idea, don't you think?

When we picked Lydia up from the airport, we had a plan that I would watch for Lydia and stand up when I saw her.  Then Gary would know to come out from his hiding place around the corner and get her with a banana whacker.  The only problem was, I didn't see her (I think in my mind that I am still looking for this little girl), and she saw Gary before she saw me.  We decided that Gary is not a very good "lurker" and I'm a little out of it.

Here she is in front or her snack bar.  She can't believe she doesn't have to hide the Doritos from her brothers. 

 She gets to pop a "Christmas Cracker" every morning for an (exciting?) prize.

We did the big Kahuna shaved ice.  We didn't think we could eat the whole thing, but we did.

 

She was sweet enough to come to our garden party Relief Society.  She looks so cute in the hat that was my great-great aunts.  

Favorite Places

I was sitting in the sunroom tonight thinking about a talk I have to give and going through some personal papers (trying to get inspiration and ideas about what to say).  The sunroom is definitely my favorite room in the house.  I actually spend a very small percentage of my time in there, but maybe that is why I like it so much.  It is more like a retreat. 

This is not a Better Homes and Garden shot, and the best view is looking into the back yard, but this is what I saw as I sat there.   It makes me feel happy and peaceful. 

The last two days have been wonderful.  We got all the products entered in the website, so now I am back to spending less time, and I feel much less pressure.  It is also perfect timing, as Lydia (our 14 year old) is coming in on Monday for a week.  I told her a few weeks ago that I as worried she would be bored, and her response was, "You and grandpa are never boring."  (Very sweet, but if she only knew!)  We are excited to have her come.  

I need

to go back to the Flylady routines that I did so well a few years ago.  There has been a big push to get all the products on the new website, and I have literally been working 9 to 10 hours a days.  That shouldn't make it so I don't accomplish anything else, but it does.   If I could only learn to compartmentalize my life better . . . and not be so "all or nothing." 

Hmm . . .Where have I heard that before? 

Happy 35th

birthday, to Tiffany! 

 Here she is at 6 weeks old!

She was beautiful then, and she's beautiful now

(in every possible way).

We love you, Tiff, and feel so blessed to be have you as our daughter.



There hasn't been

much time to blog this last week.  More and more I realize how fast and fragile life really is.  The funeral Friday was beautiful, with very fitting tributes given by Stephanie, Jenni, and Jared.    I was so proud of them, as I'm sure she was.  Friday afternoon, we took flowers to the cemetery for Memorial Day and then went to my niece (Leslie's) son's baptism.   

Gary had bought, at a baseball auction, an overnight stay at a courtyard Marriott, so we went to Salt Lake on Saturday.   It was a very nice get-a-way.  We ate at the Cheesecake Factory and shopped a little at the City Creek Center.  Then we went to "Men in Black 3."  (I figured that since Gary was patient with me shopping, that I would humor him and go to that movie).  It was actually pretty entertaining.

On Sunday morning we went to the Tabernacle Choir broadcast, had a late breakfast, and then came home.  Yesterday and today, in between a barbecue at the Roylances, a retirement open house for my friend, and a dinner date, I've put in a total of about 20 hours of work.  We are getting very close to getting the new website up, and there is a real time-crunch on getting all the products entered.  So the rest of this week will be much of the same.   

I've taken a few pictures of all the activities this last week, but I'll post those later.   It's time for bed.

Last night

we had Jean's family over for dinner, and as I told Tom on the phone, he should be very proud of his kids and grand kids.  They are wonderful people.    Here are a couple of cute pictures.  Two of Bree leading us all in "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and the other of Jared's boys with their take home treats.

It is so hard at times like this to do normal things, because life seems like it won't ever be normal again.  But, what I learned from Mom and Dad's passing, was how important it was to just keep going.  To do things you have always done.  In this case, we have always gathered together when family was in, reminisced, and enjoyed each other's company.  It was a blessing to us and Gary and Lynn to have the family over, because (besides pray for them) it is the most normal thing we can do. 

And, as I hugged the kids, I was giving them a hug for Jean, too.  I know she would do the same for me.

I am

feeling, very deeply, the loss of a very loyal and caring friend.   My friend, Jean, passed away Sunday morning.  It was very sudden, unexpected, and unexplained.   My heart is hurting for her family and for all of us who love her.  She was only 62,  She adored her children and grandchildren.  They were literally the light of her life.

Jean and I have been "partners in crime," so to speak, on countless projects, parties, and crafting classes through the years. In fact, I was last with her just two weeks ago when we went to a card making class.  I try to think back to all we talked about that night, and what I remember is very sweet.  It makes me realize how important it is to cherish each moment.   I have been so very blessed to have her as a part of my life for 40 years, and I will really miss her.

Jean was married to my brother, Tom.  Though they later divorced, we have all remained close.  We have shared the common bonds of love for my parents, of watching our children grow, and for the special relationships of the Anderson cousins.

Some people have expressed surprise when I have explained our relationship and the friendship and family ties that we have continued.  Truly, a great credit is due to Tom and his wife, Lynn (who is another very cherished friend), and to Jean and her husband, Ross.  They have been very gracious in wanting their children to feel the love that extended family ties bring.  They have done that in situations when, no doubt, it was not always comfortable.  I remember the love that was felt three years ago when we planned a family baby shower for their daughter, Stephanie.  Jean wanted to have it when Tom and Lynn were in town, so they could share in that time with Stephanie and Bryce.  Lynn and I had fun together as we decorated and made desserts, and then Jean brought in all the rest of the meal.        

My heart is with Ross, Jenni and Ryan, Jared and Sara, Stephanie and Bryce, and her adored grandchilren.  She loved you dearly.  Losing those we love, especially a parent, is so hard.  

I have no doubt that the spirit continues to live after the mortal body dies.  Frankly, I don't know how people make sense of life if they think that death ends it all.  But that knowledge doesn't stop us from feeling a great loss when our loved ones are no longer with us.   I guess that is what it is all about.   The more we feel the love, the greater we feel the loss.